Kansas Health Care Exchange Now Online, But Not Without Problems

However, some proponents of the federal health care law that created the marketplace think consumers should wait until any glitches have been fixed before they buy coverage.

Sheldon Weisgrau of the Health Reform Resource Project says people can start buying coverage through the exchange today, but they don't have to. They have until December 15 if they want their coverage to start in January.

As of Monday, some Kansas health care organizations that were awarded federal grants to help guide consumers through the process still hadn't hired all of the "navigators" needed...or finished training for many of those who were hired.

Also, the Kansas Insurance Department still hadn't received Spanish-language pamphlets it ordered in June.

Manuela Oroteza is a cook at Wichita State University. Her family lives off her $10/hour salary and she's eager to see if she can afford health care through the new exchange.

Oroteza can not afford the coverage the school offers its employees, so the family currently relies on a free clinic for their health care.

Oroteza resents Brownback for refusing federal funding to expand Medicaid in Kansas and is confused about the new health care law. She wishes someone could explain it to her in Spanish.

Governor Sam Brownback and Republican legislative leaders have resisted implementing the Affordable Care Act since it became law.

They have opted to allow the federal government to set up the Kansas exchange, and refused a $31.5 million dollar federal grant to set up the infrastructure for the Kansas exchange.

KMUW's Carla Eckels recently talked to Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger about how the Affordable Care Act is going to affect people in Kansas and what to expect when the health insurance marketplace opens on October 1. Learn more about the basics of the marketplace here . 1. I’ve been asking people about the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and so many people don’t know much about it. They’re a bit confused, not knowing what to expect. Can you give us an overview?

The Affordable Care Act may make it easier to get preventative care for many people who may now be using the emergency room. People who put off getting check-ups and tests for minor issues can find themselves with a serious illness. Even a bad tooth, if it is ignored, can manifest into a life-threatening situation.

Joseph Akif, director of nursing for emergency services at Via Christi Hospitals in Wichita, says that when the economic crisis hit in 2008, the emergency department saw an increase in these kinds of patients.